Brassiere with interchangeable coverings

ABSTRACT

A brassiere has a plurality of interchangeable coverings capable of adorning the brassiere so as to change the visual appearance of the brassiere. The brassiere includes a plurality of fastening means, which include hooks, snaps, Velcro, zipper, buttons and/or fabric ties. The coverings have mating fastening means and are capable of being attached to the brassiere so as to provide an outer covering. The coverings differ from each other by way of fabric, colour, pattern and/or texture. Optionally, the brassiere can have means to reveal or conceal the woman&#39;s cleavage.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to undergarments and undergarment accessories. In particular, the present invention relates to a ladies' brassiere with interchangeable coverings purposed to change the visual appearance of the brassiere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Undergarments for women which are purposed to cover and support a woman's breasts are manufactured and marketed in a variety of colours and fabrics. Persons wearing transparent or lace material apparel recognize the need to coordinate the colour of the apparel with that of the undergarment. Thus, it is desirable that the undergarment looks similar to or is a fashionable match with the outer garment.

Addressing this necessity can become very expensive as women need to buy more brassieres which would match each different shirt or dress they may wear. Accordingly, it may be desirable to have the versatility to change the appearance of a brassiere, by simply covering the brassiere with a sleeve or sheath as necessary. A brassiere will also be referred herein as bra.

Efforts in the past to provide such versatility have been limited. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0093189 A1 (Frey) discloses a partial undergarment for covering a selected portion of a woman's chest or cleavage, that includes a piece of fabric and a plurality of fasteners connected to the fabric so that the fabric is movably and removably attachable to the bra. The piece of fabric hangs above and between the cups of the bra, protecting the wearer from undesired or unintentional exposure.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0123148 A1 (Heer) discloses a brassiere system that has a bra with two back strap attachment points and a number of interchangeable back straps. The straps are distinct from each other in terms of length, width, fabric type, color and can be interchanged in order to adjust the bra and to alter the appearance of the back straps for aesthetic reasons, such as coordinating with other garments.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,906 (May) discloses a garment set comprising a brassiere and a number of strap sets, each of the strap sets being distinct from the others in that the fabrics, colors textures, sizes and shapes are distinct. The bra wearer may choose associated straps to match an outer garment with the straps, without the need to separately purchase many different complete undergarments.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,861 (Flaherty) discloses a bra set that includes a bra and a number of interchangeable strap sets that differ from each other in color, size, and/or fabric and they look like clothing. The articles of clothing can be sold with matching straps as well.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0075562 A1 (Lung) discloses a selectable interchangeable bra system which allows the user to customize the bra in terms of size, shape, cut, as well as color and compatibility with outerwear. The selectable bra system comprises the basic bra parts as separate components provided with connecting means to allow for assembling a complete, user-customized bra.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,319,092 A1 (Leyhe et al.) discloses a nursing bra that is designed with cup frames provided with hook and loop fasteners or other types of fasteners for attaching removable cups that can be interchanged. The bra comes with a number of cups that can be replaced in the cup frame of the bra.

U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/00601125 A1 (Boser) discloses the usage of VELCRO-hook and loop type fastening strips in a brassiere construction with removable components.

However, no individual patent referred to above places emphasis on a single undergarment foundation to which a number of distinct coverings can be attached so as to be used in conjunction with a similar variety of outer garments. Thus, the present invention was made in recognition of the known prior art devices and with a view to providing a simple alternative to an expensive undergarment wardrobe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is, thus, to provide a ladies' brassiere set comprising a brassiere and a plurality of interchangeable coverings purposed to change the visual appearance of the brassiere. The brassiere may have two breast cups and a back band, the two breast cups and the back band being assembled together in a conventional manner.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of interchangeable coverings that may differ from each other by way of fabric, color, pattern and/or texture.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ladies' brassiere kit or set including a brassiere and a plurality of interchangeable coverings, each covering being adapted for sliding over the two breast cups and the back band of the brassiere so as to conform to the size and shape of the brassiere and change the visual appearance of the brassiere.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a brassiere kit or set including a brassiere having fastening means disposed at the margin of the breast cups and the back band of the brassiere and a plurality of coverings having a plurality of corresponding mating fastening means for attachment of a covering on the outer surface of the brassiere so as to change the visual appearance thereof.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the brassiere set can be provided with shoulder straps that may be permanently or detachably connected to the brassiere by any known practical attachment means. The shoulder straps would pull through openings in the cover. The permanently attached shoulder straps can be of a transparent color or of a neutral, skin tone color.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the brassiere kit or set can include a plurality of removable shoulder straps matching the colour, texture and/or pattern of the coverings.

Any suitable fastening means can be used, such as, for example, hooks, snaps, Velcro™ tabs, magnets, zippers, buttons or fabric ties, or other fastening means known to a person skilled in the art.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the brassiere kit or set includes a brassiere provided with optional fastening means used to reveal or conceal a woman's cleavage.

The further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and should not be construed as limiting the invention in any way since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art or science from this detailed description.

It is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a brassiere set according to the present invention, with the covering not using the cleavage fasteners;

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the brassiere set depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a brassiere set according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with covering using the cleavage fasteners;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a brassiere set with sleeve covering;

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of a brassiere set with sleeve covering;

FIG. 6 Shows a front view of a brassiere with latex pockets; and

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of a brassiere with latex pockets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art or science to which the present invention pertains to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements.

FIG. 1 illustrates, from the front, an exemplary embodiment of a brassiere set according to the present invention. The brassiere is shown with dotted line. In a preferred embodiment, a brassiere covering A covers the brassiere on the outer side and might have edges that are inwardly extending under the margins of the brassiere. The covering is shown as it might typically be attached to the breast cups at the attachment points 1. A pair of shoulder straps B are attached to the brassiere. Preferably the straps are removably attached to the brassiere by any means known to a man skilled in the art. The permanently attached shoulder straps can be of a transparent color or of a neutral, skin tone color. The covering can be constructed of, but not limited to, a soft pliable fabric material. The covering can be provided with mating fasteners corresponding to the type of fasteners attached to the brassiere. The locations and positions of the fastening means both on the brassiere and covering are not limited and may be established according to the size, shape, and form of the brassiere. Additional factors such as the need to cover the breasts' cleavage can be taken into consideration when determining the number and location of the fastening means. Preferably, attaching fasteners are provided on the interior edge of the breast cups and back band. The shoulder straps would pull through openings D in the cover. Alternatively, the fastening means can be provided on the outer side of the margins of the brassiere. The position of the fasteners is not so important as the ability of the interchangeability of the brassiere covering that would allow the wearer to attach and/or remove the cover to the bra as desired. The fasteners are placed far enough from the edges of the bra and covering so that they do not show when the brassiere set is worn. Further, the fasteners are preferably selected to have a low profile so that they do not create bumps that are visible when the brassiere set is worn.

Any fastening means can be used, such as, for example, hooks, snaps, Velcro™ tabs, magnets, zippers, buttons and button holes, or fabric ties, or other fastening means known to a person skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment a brassiere kit can be provided including a brassiere, a plurality of coverings of different shapes, colours, patterns, and textures. The brassiere and the coverings can be provided with the fastening means attached thereto, or, the fastening means can be included separately in the kit so as to be attached to the brassiere and the coverings as may be desired in order to alter the visual appearance of the brassiere in accordance with the present invention. The brassiere can be of any shape and dimension. The coverings are constructed in a similar shape and dimension to that of the brassiere, with the exception of the section that would cover the central front portion between the breast cups. The central front portion of the covering can reveal or conceal the wearer's cleavage. FIG. 1 illustrates the use of the covering to change the appearance of the brassiere and to conceal the wearer's cleavage,

Referring to FIG. 2 there is a back view of the brassiere of FIG. 1. The covering might typically be attached to the back band C. Numeral reference 1 shows exemplary locations where the fastening means can be provided on the back band of the brassiere and on the bra covering. A strap support structure B can optionally be provided and can be of any type known to a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 3 illustrates, from the front, another exemplary embodiment of a brassiere set according to the present invention. The brassiere is shown with dotted line. According to this embodiment, optional fasteners provided on the front central portion of the brassiere and on the bra covering at attachment points 2 might be used to reveal the wearer's cleavage as desired. The covering is shown as it might typically be attached to the breast cups at the attachment points 1.

Shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 is the front view and the rear view, respectively, of another preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the covering is a substantially tubular sleeve A. In use, the sleeve can be slid over the brassiere so as to cover the brassiere from one end to the other. The sleeve can be made of flexible, stretchable material such as, but not limited to, lycra, nylon, spandex, enabling it to be pulled over the bra. The sleeve can be fastened to the ends of the back band at the attaching points 1 as shown in FIG. 5. The sleeve diameter can be variable along the length of the sleeve so as to coordinate and conform to the shape and form of a conventional brassiere. The brassiere can be strapless or provided with removable straps B. Preferably the sleeve can be provided with one or more openings D corresponding to the positions where the straps can be pulled through and/or re-attached to the brassiere.

Reference is made now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 for a description of an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the bra is provided with clear latex pockets on the frontal portions of the breast cups and the back band of the brassiere. The outer layer of the pockets is be made of clear, transparent material. The pockets have slits E on the upper side as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Various inserts made of, but not limited to, plastic, fabric, can be inserted into the pockets through the openings E. The inserts can be of different colours or patterns so as to change the appearance of the bra.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, it is to be understood that it should not be considered restrictive in character and that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and thus, various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art or science, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 

1. A brassiere set comprising: a bra portion comprising two breast cups and a back portion assembled together; a plurality of membranes sized to cover at least outwardly the bra portion; and means for removably attaching said membranes to the bra portion.
 2. The brassiere set according to claim 1 wherein the means for removably attaching the membranes comprises: a plurality of fasteners positioned along an upper and a lower edge of the two breast cups and of the back portion; and a plurality of mating fasteners positioned at corresponding locations on the membranes for attachment of the membranes to the bra portion.
 3. The brassiere set according to claim 2 wherein the fasteners are one of a hook, snap Velcro™, magnet, zipper, button and fabric tie.
 4. The brassiere set according to claim 1 wherein each of said membranes differs from every other membrane in texture.
 5. The brassiere set according to claim 1 wherein each of said membranes differs from every other membrane in color.
 6. The brassiere set according to claim 1 wherein at least one membrane is a stretchable tubular sheath adapted to slide over the bra portion.
 7. The brassiere set of claim 1 further comprising at least one shoulder strap interconnected with the bra portion, and wherein each of the membranes has at least one opening positioned such that the at least on shoulder strap can pull there through when the membrane is attached to the bra portion.
 8. The infinity brassiere set according to claim 1 further comprising means for revealing and concealing a wearer's cleavage.
 9. The brassiere set according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of membranes are made of fabric.
 10. An interchangeable covering membrane for a conventional bra comprising: a fabric portion sized to cover at least an outside of the conventional bra; and fasteners for removably attaching the fabric portion to the conventional bra, wherein the fasteners is one of a hook, fabric tie, VELCRO™, snap and zipper.
 11. The interchangeable covering membrane according to claim 10 wherein the fabric portion comprises at least one aperture substantially aligned, when the fabric is attached to the bra, with a shoulder strap attachment location.
 12. An interchangeable covering for a conventional bra comprising: a membrane portion sized to cover at least an outside of the conventional bra, the membrane being made of clear latex; and means for removably attaching the membrane portion to the conventional bra, wherein the means is one of a hook, fabric tie, VELCRO™, snap and sipper.
 13. The interchangeable covering according to claim 12 wherein the membrane portion comprises: a first pocket substantially aligned, when the membrane is attached externally to the bra, with a first breast cup of the conventional bra; a second pocket substantially aligned, when the membrane is attached externally to the bra, with a second breast cup of the conventional bra; wherein the first and the second pockets are sized to receive a fabric portion. 